Building construction



July 24, 1951 Filed Sept. 28, 1944 I .1. F. LANKTON 2,562,050

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet l Fi i . INVENTfiR.

JOEL FLETCHER LANHTQN July 24, 1951 J. F. LANKTON v 2,562,050

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 28, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet? W! /N N :Mii N I N N ,0? w

Fig 3 INVENTOR. i JOEL FLETCHER LANKTON 3. F. LANKTON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION July 24, 1951 Filed Sept. 28, 1944 6 SheetsSheet 5 lllllHNliMi ll IN V EN TOR. JOEL. FLETCHER LANKTON .5uly 24, 1951 J. F. LANKTON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 28, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. JOE.L. FLETCHER LANKTON July 24, 1951 4. F. LANKTON 2,562,050

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 28, 1944 e Sheets-Sheet 5 w. ///////////IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIllIlI/III/I JOEL FLE-TCHER LANKTON Fig 6 J. F. LANKTON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR, JOEL FLETCHER LANKTON July 24, 1951 Filed Sept. 28, 1944 Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,562,050 i BUILDING CONSIHTRUGTION Joel Fletcher Lankton, Peoria, Ill. Application September 28, 1944,.SerialNo. 556,222

15 Claims. (01. 20-2) The present invention relates in general to building construction, and the object of the invention is to provide a utility unit comprising a heating plant and the necessary items of equipment for furnishing the kitchen and bathroom of a dwelling house or apartment. The unit preferably includes also the essential laundry equipment, such as clothes washer and laundry tubs.

The assembly of these various items of equipment into a single unit, which can be to a considerable extent prefabricated, not only speeds up the construction work, but also substantially reduces the cost thereof, and makes it possible to erect small or moderate sized houses in .a minimum of time and at less expense than .has been possible heretofore.

Prefabricated unitary building structures have been proposed before, and houses have been built or proposed to be built in sections, each section being a prefabricated room. In constructing such a house the foundation is laid, the rooms are scribed in the foregoing have the disadvantage that the rooms are necessarily rather small, as

even reasonably large rooms would be too heavy and cumbrous to handle. Acomplete bathroom, as to which the small size is not so objectionable, has the added weight of the various equipment items and'is as heavy as a much larger ordinary room. For these and other reasons which need not be gone into the use of complete prefabricated rooms in the construction of houses is .not very practicable.

In carrying .out the present invention the use of prefabricated rooms has been abandoned. The utility unit which is the subject of the invention is not a room, but is a structure around which .a

number of rooms are built and which forms part of such rooms and acts as a partition betweenv them; The various equipment items are solocated in the unit that when the building iscompleted each piece of equipment will be in the appropriateroom. h

The invention and various features thereof will be described more fully in the detailed .specifica-i tion which follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-,-.

Figs. 1 and 2 show typical floor plansfor indicated at '21.

bodying the invention is included in or forms part is supportedon the foundation;

Fig. 4 shows the end of the unit .in elevation, as seen from the laundry;

Fig. 5 shows the bathroom side of the unit in elevation;

Fig. 6 is an isometric drawing showing the assembly of the parts near the ceiling, including the hot air ducts of the heating system.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the unit -on the line 1-1, Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the unit on the line 8-8,Fig. 7'; and

Fig. 9 is an isometric drawing of the unit with certain parts cut away to expose other parts and will be of assistance to an understanding of the arrangement of the various items of equipment that are provided.

Referring to Fig. l, the fioor plan shown will be briefly described. The reference character Ill indicates the front entrance, opening into the living room I I. Front and rear bedrooms are indicated at I2 and I3, respectively. The kitchen is indicated at M and has a side door I1. The reference character [6 indicates the bathroom, while 15 indicates the laundry, also serving as a hallway between kitchen and bathroom. The utility unit is indicated by refernce character l8 and is associated with the kitchen, bathroom and laundry, which are built around the unit onthree sides. The unit'forms the partition 'between'the kitchen and bathroom and includes all the equipment items required for these rooms properly located in the unit so that each item is available for use in theapprcpriate room. The laundry is continuous with the kitchen but is disposed at right angles thereto and has available for use certain equipment items located at the endo'f the utility unit.

Fig. '2 shows a somewhat different floor plan, illustrating the flexibility in the design of buildings in which the utility unit is incorporated. The'livin-g room is indicated at 20 and has the front entrance 2!. Bedrooms are indicated at 22 and 23. The-utility unit is indicated at! 8, and forms the partition between kitchen 24 and the bathroom 25. The reference character 26 indicates a'jgeneral utility room, which could be used as a dining room if desired: The rear .door is It will be observed that in this layout the utility unit 'i's'located against .an inside partition rather than against an outer wall a dish washing machine. "acter 4% indicates a storage cabinet. A sub-base is indicated at 34 and supports all of the-above items except the refrigerator, which rests on the floor.

mirror door is indicated at 39. -mirror door which gives access to a box or casstallation of the utility unit the various equipment items will be more particularly identified,

plant which is enclosed in the casing 6|.

reference being had to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 for this purpose.

reference numeral 38, Fig. 3,l indicates a re-' frigerator, 3| indicates a stove, assumed to be a gas stove, 32 indicates a sink, while 33 indicates The reference char- A kitchen cabinet for storage of groceries, kitchen utensils, etc. is indicated at 35. Proceeding now to the bathroom on the opposite side of the unit, a water closet, lavatory and bathtub are indicated by reference numerals 36,

3? and 38, respectively. A medicine case with 40 is another ing in which an electrical distribution panel is located. Linen shelves or cabinets are indicated at ii. A glass door 42 partitions off part of the space above the bath tub to form a shower compartment.

At the end of the unit are the laundry items, consisting of a clothes washer 43 and laundry tubs 44 and 45. A storage case or cabinet is indicated at 4'6.

The equipment described, with the exception of the cabinets and cases located near the ceiling, are shown'in their proper relative location in Fig. 9, which will assist in a clear understanding of the arrangement. Fig. 9 also shows the central compartment 48 in which the heating plant and plumbing connections for the equipment items are located.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular selection and arrangement of equipment which is shown and described. The items mentioned, however, are the .ones usually required and the drawings are believed to show an excellent arrangement thereof.

The construction of the utility unit may now be considered more in detail.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8, the central compartment 48 which houses the heating plant and other mechanical equipment, is built upon a substantial base comprising end channels 50 and 60 panel 5'! rests on the plate 53 to which it is secured in a similar manner. The other end panel 58 does not extend down to the base but only as far as the top of the bath tub, thus providing an opening for the drain and overflow pipes. The side and end panels are suitably joined together along their contacting edges and form the compartment 48, hereinbefore referred to. The height of this compartment is about eight inches or so short of the ceiling height.

The construction of the panels is not important. They may be made of spaced metal sheets, for example, as indicated in the drawing, and may be given increased strength and rigidity by vertical channels such as 59 and 60.

The compartment 48 contains the heating The plant itself forms no part of the invention and consequently the details are not shown. It is "assumed, however, that gas is used as fuel, although an oil burning plant could be used.

flhe casing 6! may be supported on channels 62 "and'tB extending across the compartment and secured at the ends to the vertical channel 60 on side panel 55 and to acorresponding channel "on the side panel 58. The casing 6| may be anchored to the end panel 51 near the top by means of angle members 64 and 65.

Also contained in the compartment 48 is the water heater 86, which is supported on the pedestal 61, which in turn rests on the I beam -68. This beam is part of the base and extends between the two side channels such as 52, to which it is suitably secured.

In addition to the foregoing the compartment 48 contains the plumbing which is required to connect up the heating plant, water heater, and the other equipment items heretofore described. The arrangement of the various pipes will be explained briefly. The reference character 10 indicates the soil pipe, which extends vertically upward from bottom to top of the compartment. At the top the pipe is threaded for attachment of an extension for projection through the roof. At the bottom the soil pipe preferably terminates in a coupling, providing for attachment of an extension to the sewer.

The various equipments from which waste water has to be disposed of all drain into the soil pipe 10. The bath tub 38 is drained by way of the trap H and pipe 12. The reference character 1'5 indicates a horizontal pipe which extends from vertical pipe 13 through the side panel 56 to connect with the drain from the lavatory 31. No drain for the water closet is provided, as this drain has to go through the floor. It is installed on the job and connects to the soil pipe extension which goes to the sewer. The sink'32 and dish Washer 33 are drained by pipes 16 and H, respectively, which empty into the pipe 18. These pipes are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, as is also the pipe 19 for draining the laundry tubs 44 and 45. The latter pipe is shown also in Fig. 8. Pipe is for chaining the clothes washer 43. Pipe 14 is a vent pipe.

' The soil pipe 10 and the large connecting pipes such as 12, 13, '14 and 18 are supported in the compartment ina suitable manner. The weight of the pipes is taken mainly on the I beam 68 and on a channel 8| which extends across the base parallel thereto. At the top the soil pipe may be secured to the casing 6| for the heating plant as indicated. Further support is af- 1 forded by the various drains where they pass through the side and end panels of the compartment. It will be understood also that temporary blocking and lashing may be employed 'to=--preclude'-'any chance of the pipes becoming loose or disarrangedpriorto installation of the as e y The main gas pipe is indicated at 82- -andis threaded for connection to the gas supply line; A shut off valve is indicated at 83-. The gas pipe 82 has a branch 84 extending to the stove 3! and two branches 85 and 86 which extend to the water heater 66, and to the heating plant,

respectively.

The main water pipe is indicated at 81 and extends vertically upward to the water heater 66.-- A shut ofi valve'is indicated at 88. --The reference characters 90- and '91-. indicate hot and cold water pipes, respectively, which extend along the side panel 56- and the endpanel 51 to supply hot and coldwater to the bath tub, shower, lavatory and'other equipment-items which require water. The hot-water pipe 9!! is connected to the water heater by a pipe 89, while the cold water pipe 91 is connected to the main water pipe 81 by a pipe 92. The connections to the various pieces of equipment are indicated in the drawings and need not be explained in detail. 5 V

The central compartment 48 together withthe base or frame on which it rests and the equipment inside may be referred to as a mechanical section. It is prefabricated, with heatingv plant and water heater installed as described, and plumbing connections brought through the panels or walls of the compartment to the outside.

In the manufacture of the mechanicalzsection,

the end panel 58 is preferably assembled last, so as to afford ready access to the interior of the compartment for the installation of the heating plant, water heater and plumbing. After the panel 58 is assembled to complete the com.- partment access to the interior thereof is had through the door 94.

The wall panel 95, which cooperates with panel 55 to form one wall of the kitchen, .rests on the frame and may be assembled as part of the mechanical section. The wall panel 96, which forms part of the bathroom wall, is not assembled to the mechanical section until after the latter has been installed. This is true also of the end panel 97. The end panel goes against a wall or partition of the building and need not be finished on the outside. The door 42 may be assembled on the end panel by suitable hinges and is fastened back against the panel by a suitable catch. The wall panel 96 is L shaped, and on this account may be made in two sections, if desired, so that it can be shipped'flat.

The panel 56, which forms part of the bathroom wall, is equippedcomplete with medicine cabinet 39, distribution box 40, towel racks, etc. I at the time the mechanical unitis manufactured. Ihe lavatory 31 and water closet 36 are not as-' .sembled, however, until the unit is installed.

These two pieces of equipment may be standard stock items. The bath tub, which is also assembled after the mechanical unit is installed,

is preferably of special construction to fit the unit, although a stock tub could beused.

The electrical wiring is not shown, butit will beiunderstood that the mechanical unit is pref- .erably wired to the distribution. panel soa's. to

provide connections to all lights and'swit'ch's and outlets .for the equipment which requires with the cabinet '45, are preferably'constructed wh-lch is installed along with the refrigerator after thef niechanic'al--unithas been installed. Tlie' laundry 'wequipment is also preferably constructed-fas 'a unit; forming a laundry section which'is separatefrom-the mechanical unit until they are assembled during installation. The variens overheadshelves andcabinets are built in sections-35, M and: 415-" eadyfor attachment to the-mechanical -section I I The installation f 'the utility unit will now be many explained being assumed for this purpose that a building istome constructed having a' iioor plansucl t as -shown in Fig. l, with the utllity unit torming part of v the kitchen, bathmomiandiqaflfidryf '.-".-.i 1 c T-he foundation of the building is first constructed in'the usuahm anner, the floor joists are placed end? the -a'ough-iioor is laid. The floor construction =is =such that an opening is left in the-proper locationtoreceive the mechanical unit, headers-being used-on each side of the opening to supportthe ends of the joists. Strips such-as. l00,'-'Fig-. 8, are -then laid around the margin of the opening thesestrips being of the same widtn -as the-projecting portions of the plates su'ch-as53 and 54 "Themechanica section of the utility unit is now placed'in-positionf with-the base or frame in tli'bpening-thhs provided and with the pro,- jecti'ngportionsof the plates-such as 53 and 54 restingon-theistrips such as 1 00 which extend around thefinargin of-the-.opening. These strips 19811191995, 96 and arm -be erected and assembled tonne-mechanical: section.- .Also at this. time the I necessarywater, gas :andsewerv connections to the meohanicaisectionlmay. be made in the basement-@tmd-the electricalv .servicet wires may be brought) inL-Jand 'connected-a-to. the distribution panel:

sililiezrce g;.joists.-,may, extend continuously some ...he.-,mechani cal=- section,; but the finished ceilingalath, andplaster if this is the constructioii' usedgxisystoppedgshort of the walls of the mechanical.. cti n..; T ce n ld fi ishedefarien u hzsoit at:i w e d a s ort .distancelabove- ;the;shelf and cabinet sections of l hen i t tuni l. hen therar i he flo or, ceiling and wall conctiqn,.th eh he building .i nt of -u yu i In fieiira- ,th x .e. e hara U indi- .ca t fl orio sts exte in pa t penin in "fythe mechanical section is ehce cliaracter I02 indicates -an.extra joist supports one end of the header fli theother ngl of which rests on the 1 oists such as .l 04 are supported U V header l,g3. 0ri the other side of; the opening the constr uction-isthe same, another header such as, lniibihg provided. {The roughjfloor' is indicated "at I05 andthe finished hour at "I flBljor iefofithe joists is indicated at ms and the, finishei'dceiling at 101. The out- I side can is indicate at fine.

en, throom and laundry d the various pieces of equipmsfna'y be installed and asical "section. The refrigeratoi 3 0 rests onth floor against'thewall panel 'a' finit, forminga kitchen equipment section, 155'5,'which"liasaif tipeiiingtherein for the cord 3&639959 and an outlet on the inside wall for the plug terminal. The refrigerator is spaced away from the wall enough to allow a circulation of air. The kitchen section comprising the stove and other items is installed against the wall panel 55 along; side the refrigerator and is supported on a sub; base 34. The plumbing connections for the kitchen unit appear at the proper location on the outside of wall 55 so that the connections can-be completed in a minimum of time.

The laundry section is installed at the end ,of the mechanical section and rests on a sub-base like the kitchen section. Plumbing connections for the laundry section have also been provided. In the bathroom the lavatory 31 is installedon the wall panel 56 in the usualmanner and is connected to the hot and cold water pipes and drain pipe which preferably extend through-the wall panel for this purpose. A pipe forthe tank of the water closet is also provided. The drain, however, goes through the floor and is connected to the soil pipe in the basement, as previously mentioned. The bathtub is slid into position from the bathroomand is supported partlyon the base of the mechanical section, as shown, in Fig. 8, and partly by a depending skirt which reaches to the iioor as shown in Fig. 5. ,The bath tub is connected up from inside the compartment 48 of the mechanical section,-access to which is had by way of the door 94. To reach the door the Workman has to step into the bath tub. but this is no particular objection. The bottomof the opening for door 94. should be several' inches higher than the rim of the bath tub, and the door should be sealed bygaskets so as to avoid any danger of moisture entering the compartment 48.

. The, rear portion of the bath tub may be used as a shower and can be closed offby the. glass door 42 to prevent water splashing on the floor outside the tub. Catches are provided sothat the door 42 can be secured in open or closed position. The fittings for hot and cold water and the shower head are mounted on the endwall panel 58 of the compartment 48, and preferably are installed during manufacture ofthe'mechanical section. A shower arrangement constitutes the shelf section 4| is secured to the wall panel 56 and'to the end panel 91.

Small'bolts may be used, for example. The tops of these sections are flush with the top of the panels. The lower side of the shelf section 4| maybe regarded as part of the ceiling of the bathroom. This ceiling is completed above the shower compartment by means of a ceiling panel I Ill, shown'in Fig. 6.

After the cabinetand shelf sections have been assembled, the hot air ducts Ill, ll2 and H3 maybe installed, as shown inFig. 6. These air ductsconnect with a hot air chamber in casing SI of the heating plant and ducts II I and I 12 extend to the kitchen and bathroom, respectively,

opening into these rooms near the ceiling. Air

duct I13 is adapted to be'connected to a main ceiling, duct (not shown) which supplies hot air to the other rooms of theIbuilding'. fColdairjis admittedat thebottom of the casing 61 andlreti es-t9 the es apei ei 4?; fe the-wee .P

way of louvres such as l M, Fig. 4, with which the sub-bases for supporting the kitchen and laundry sections are provided. Cold air may also be admitted from the basement.

The utility unit is completed by adding the trim panels H5, H6 and Ill, which are secured to the cabinet and shelf sections and close the space between these sections and the finished ceiling. The trim panels are provided with openings for the air ducts as shown. H

While the invention is intended mainly for use in the construction of new houses, it may also be used in the renovation or modernization of old houses, since the mechanical section and other sections appurtenant thereto are of reasonable dimensions, being narrow enough to go through an ordinary door. In this field, as in the new building field, the utility unit is adapted to replace the separate heating, kitchen, bathroom and laundry installations which have been provided heretofore and furnish the same facilities in a more convenient form and at a greatly reduced cost. The invention makes it possible, therefore, for the small home owner to have not only the strictly essential equipment, but to enjoy also certain equipment usually considered to fall in the luxury class and whichv he otherwise might not be able to afford.

A specific embodyment of the invention has been shown and described but it will be understood that this has been done for the sake of clarity and to facilitate the description. Modifications may be made, and I do not therefore wish to be restricted to the exact disclosure herein, but desire to include and have protected by Letters Patent all forms and modifications of the invention which come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of building construction, which consists in laying the foundation and at least part of the floor, providing an opening in the laid floor which is spaced away in all directions from the foundation walls, installing a prefabricated mechanical section on said floor above said opening, said section having four walls extending upward from the door and containing plumbing for the building, making connections to said plumbing through said floor opening, constructing rooms around said mechanical section utilizing all four walls thereof as parts of the walls of said rooms, installing service equipment in said rooms, and connecting said equipment to the plumbing in said section.

2. For use in building construction, a prefabricated mechanical section comprising a rectangular base adapted to be supported on the floor of a building, a compartment supported on said base and comprising side walls and end walls, a heating plant anda water heater in said compartment, plumbing in said compartment for said heating plant and water heater, said plumbing including connections extending through said side walls for the attachment of kitchen and bathroom equipment, means for supporting said heating plant, water heater, and plumbing close to three of the compartment walls so as to leave a space in the interior of the'compartment from which said parts are accessible for servicing, an opening in the other of the compartment walls for entrance of a'service man bodily into said space, and a removable closure for said opening.

3. For use in building construction, a prefabricated mechanical section comprising a base adapted to rest on the floor of a building, a comsaid compartment, a heating plant supported adrjacent theopposite end wall in said compartment, plumbing in said compartment including a connection to said heating plant and connections extending through said side walls and said opposite end Wall for attachment to equipment 10- cated in said rooms, and means for supporting said plumbing along theinside of the compartment walls so as to leave a substantially clear space between said door and said heating plant.

:4. In a building, aprefabricated mechanical section supported'on the floor, a plurality of rooms built around said section, walls ,included in saidsection forming a compartment and also forming parts 'of the walls of said rooms, a hot air heating plant and plumbing for said rooms supported in said compartment, said heating plant including a vertical hot air duct extending to the top of the compartment, overhead cabinets secured to the compartment walls in said rooms, branch air ducts extending from said vertical duct over the compartment walls and said cabinets to said rooms beneath the ceil- "ings thereof, and means for closing the space" not occupiedby said branch air ducts between the said cabinets and the ceilings of said rooms."

5. The method of constructing a buildin which consists in constructing a mechanical section including a base andv an upright rectangular frame, installing a heating plant and plumbing for sewer and hot and cold water in said section, rigidly attaching said heatingplant and plumbing to said frame, laying the foundation and floor of said building, erecting said mechanical section on said floor, erecting walls for kitchen, laundry and bathroom around said section, erecting partitions cooperating with said section to separate said bathroom from said kitchen and laundry, assembling kitchen, laundry and bathroom equipment against said section, connecting said equipment to the said plumbing, making service connections to said plumbing through said floor and installing air ducts leading from said heating plant to said kitchen and bathroom.

6. In a building, a prefabricated mechanical section installed on the floor of the building, said section comprising a base with side and end walls extending upwardly therefrom and forming a compartment, a kitchen built on one side of said section and having a wall which includes one side wall of said compartment, a bathroom opposite said kitchen and having a wallwhich includes the other side wall of said compartment; a passageway having a wall including an end wall of said compartment, said passageway opening into said kitchen and having a door leading into said bathroom, a hot air heating plant in said compartment having air ducts leading to said rooms and to other rooms of said building, kitchen and bathroom equipment in the kitchen and bathroom, respectively, assembled on the side walls of said compartment, laundry equipment in said passageway assembled on the associated end wall of said compartment, plumbing in said compartment to which such equipment is connected through the walls of said compartment, and service connections to said plumbing extending from beneath the floor of the building into said compartment.

'7. In a building, a prefabricated mechanical 10 section installed on the floor of the building, said section comprising a base and an upright framework supporting side and end walls which form a compartment, said compartment having one end wall extending parallel to a wall of said building and spaced awaytherefrom, a kitchen built on one side of said section and-having a wall including one side wall of said compartment and an extension thereof which extends from said compartment to the said buildingwall, a bathroomopposite said kitchen and havinga wall which includes the other side wall of said compartment, an end wall thereof, and said extension, kitchen and bathroom equipment in the kitchen and bathroom, respectively, assembled on the walls of said compartment, said bathroom equipment including, a bathtub located partly in the space between said compartment and the said building wall, plumbing in said compartment to which said equipment is connected through the walls of said compartment, and service connections to said plumbing extendingfrom beneath the fioor=of the building into said compartment.

8. In a building, a prefabricated mechanical section installed on the floor of the building, said section comprising a base and an upright frame work supporting side and end. walls which form a compartment, said compartmenthaving one end wall extending parallel to a wall of the buildingand spaced away therefrom, a kitchen built on one side of said section and havinga .wall which includes one side wall of said compartment, a laundry connected with said kitchen and having a wall which includes oneend wall .of said compartment, a bathroom opposite said 'kitchen having a wall which includes the other side wall and the other end wall of said compartment, means separating said bathroom from said kitchen and laundry including a partition ex- ,tendingfrom a corner of said compartment to said building wall and another partition extendsembled in a row which extends at right an les to the row of kitchen equipment and along-and beyond theassociated end wall of said compartment, bathroom equipment in said bathroom :assembled on the associated side wall of said compartment, there being also a bathtub located in part in the space between said compartment and the said building wall, plumbing in said compartment to which said kitchen, laundry and bathroom equipment is connected above the level of the building floor, and service connections extending to said plumbing from beneath the floor.

9. In a building, a kitchen, an oppositely disposed bathroom, a laundry room adjoining said kitchen and bathroom, a prefabricated mechanical section having side walls included in the walls of said kitchen and bathroom, respectively, and an end wall included in the wall of said laundry room, mechanical equipment comprising a water heater, hot and cold water pipes and waste pipes forming part of said prefabricated mechanical section and enclosed within the walls thereof, kitchen, bathroom and laundry accessories in said kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms respectively, said accessories resting on the floors of their respective rooms independent of said mechanical section and being arranged along the section, a bath room having a wall including one of said side walls, said bath room having a floor which is part of the said building floor, a bath tub supported partly on the continuation of said base and partly on the bath room floor independent of said base, plumbing in said mechanical section, and connections from said bath tub to said plumbing.

11. A building as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plumbing includes a vertical soil pipe and a drain pipe for the bath tub connected to said soil pipe, said drain pipe being located within said base and beneath the surface of the said 12. A building as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connections from the bath tub to the drain \pipe include a trap located beneath the surface of the floor.

13. In a building, a prefabricated mechanical section including side and end walls, a bathroom having walls including one side wall of said section, a shower compartment having walls including an end wall of said section, a base under said section and supporting the same, said base having a continuation extending into said shower compartment beyond said last mentioned end wall, a bath tub located partly in said shower compartment and partly in said bath room, said bath tub having one end resting on the said continuation of said base, plumbing for said shower compartment and bath tub in said mechanical section, and plumbing fixtures connected thereto through said end wall.

14. A building as claimed in claim 13, wherein the continuation of the base extends beyond the bath tub and underneath the shower compartment wall which is opposite the mechanical section, said wall and at least one other Wall of said shower compartment being directly supported on said continuation. 7

15. In abuilding, a prefabricated mechanical section, a plurality of rooms built around said section walls for said section forming a compartment and also forming parts of the walls of said rooms, said compartment walls being of lesser height than the ceilings of said rooms, a cabinet structure in each of said rooms supported against the associated compartment wall, the tops of said structures being substantially even with the top of said compartment, a hot air heating plant in said compartment, a plurality of hot air ducts connected to said plant and extending horizontally over the top of the said cabinet structures to the said rooms, respectively, beneath the ceilings thereof, and finishing panels for closing the space between the said cabinet structures and the ceilings of said rooms, said panels having openings in which said air ducts terminate.

JOEL FLETCHER LANKTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,582,881 Kraemer Apr. 27, 1926 1,910,264 Shanley et al May 23, 1933 2,030,024 Davison Feb. 4, 1936 2,037,895 Gugler Apr. 21, 1936 2,040,725 Backhus May 12, 1936 2,168,725 Whelan Aug. 8, 1939 2,243,373 Crites May 27, 1941 2,266,035 Hedmark Dec. 16, 1941 2,340,323 Groeniger Feb. 1, 1944 2,349,541 Earle May 23, 1944 2,419,319 Lankton Apr. 22, 1947 2,430,393 Elmore et al Nov. 4, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 429,076 Great Britain May 23, 1935 OTHER REFERENCES 79 and so.

The Integrated House (Time Inc.), copyright 1937, pages 26 and 27. 

